From the North-East to the Middle East for ex-Tyne Tees sports man Andy Kerr

He has gone from the terraces of St James Park, but now is rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest names in sport

Andy Kerr with Andy Cole, Didier Domi and Nicky Crosby, daughter of Malcolm who presents show with Kerr

From watching Newcastle United on the terraces at St James’ Park and roaring England on from the sofa at World Cups, Hexham lad Andy Kerr thought he could only dream about rubbing shoulders with some of the big names who roamed the corridors of power on Barrack Road and the Football Association.

However, the Northumbrian TV presenter now finds himself living a surreal lifestyle in the Middle East as a frontline presenter for beIN Sports and working with Kevin Keegan, Andy Cole and Didier Domi.

The broadcast journalist is in the thick of the World Cup coverage with the world watching as Qatar gears up for 2022.

Kerr, a journalism graduate from University of Central Lancashire, will be a familiar face to Tyne Tees viewers after working the North East beat covering Newcastle, Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool and Darlington after finishing his education.

Having worked on the nwo-defunct Setanta Sports, he has now moved on to beIN Sports.

However, it is not just the scorching 40 degree temperatures in the summer which are a hot topic in and around the plush studios of beIN Sport.

Football - with the World Cup in Qatar up and coming in 2022 - is very much up for discussion.

Kerr admits he cannot get enough, telling the Chronicle: “I watched my first World Cup when I was seven.

“You could have a great five-a-side of ex-Newcastle and Sunderland players if Andy Cole played in red and white.

“I have asked him but I don’t think he is keen!”

So how did all this start for Kerr.

He said: “I grew up in Hexham and went to Queen Elizabeth High School.

“I learned more about TV at ITV Tyne Tees than anywhere else.

“I was 23 when I started there. Roger Tames and Ken Pollard were in charge of the sports department.

“I had learnt the basics at university but they definitely taught me to be professional.”

Now he is in the middle of his second World Cup, adding: “I was in Johannesburg for the 2010 tournament.

“I covered 19 games as a pitch side reporter. I achieved a lifetime dream then, so anything I do now is a bonus.

“I joined Al Jazeera Sport full-time just after that.

“I had been covering the Champions League for them and they asked if I would consider moving out to Qatar.”

Kerr could well end up with a World Cup hat-trick.

The World Cup in Qatar continues to be a source of big debate.

Kerr said: “I read all the bad press Qatar has had about the 2022 World Cup. One thing I do know from being in Doha and covering football, tennis and golf events here, they will put on a great show.

“Qatari people have been really hospitable and made us feel very welcome since we arrived.

“In some ways they remind me of Geordies. It was a huge decision to move my family to the Middle East but it is the best decision we’ve ever made.

“Professionally, I am living my dream. beIN Sports, as we are now, have the rights to virtually every major football league in the world.

“We are broadcasting to the Middle East, Africa and the USA.

“This year I have presented Premier League coverage, La Liga, the Europa League and now the World Cup.” Personally, we have settled in Doha really well.

“My wife, Siobhan, who was also a reporter for Tyne Tees TV, was worried how our three-year-old daughter would adjust. She is now five and loves it. She goes to the diplomatic school here, is learning Arabic and has friends from all over the world.

“So have we. One of my best friends over here is a DJ from Whitley Bay. It is a small world. Last Christmas Day we were on the beach and we arein the pool all the time.

“It is a very different way of life. We still have our home in Newcastle, though, and we will be back there after the World Cup.

“Although this is an adventure, the North East will always be home.”

For Kerr it is a journey so far on which he is happy to just sit back and take in the scenery.

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